Religion and Dharma are not one and same! There is a very fundamental difference between religion and ‘Dharma’.(Like ‘god’ with capital ‘G’ is not same as ‘Ishwara’, similarly ‘Jai Shri Ram’ cannot be equated with ‘La Ilaha Illiala’ because the latter very precisely means that there is no god but Allah, showing the inherent exclusivistContinue reading “Religion is not Dharma!”
Author Archives: Blog Apasmara
Book Launch: Next 5000 Years – Memoir of a Hindu without a Tag
ज्ञानानन्दमयं देवं निर्मल स्फटिकाकृतिम्आधारं सर्व विद्द्यानां हयग्रीवं उपास्महे If the efforts towards civilization resurgence are solely dependent on political tutelage, the future might not bring forth positive outcomes. If the future is merely an attempt to bring to life the workings of the past, the present would hardly accept it. Presenting Next 5000 Years –Continue reading “Book Launch: Next 5000 Years – Memoir of a Hindu without a Tag”
Deepavali: How well do we know it?
Deepavali/Diwali is all about puja, festivities including light and sweets – and crackers. No, not the 1000-wala ladis that have become false status symbols, and vulgar displays of wealth giving a reason for clampdowns like #crackerban — but of light and sparkle. When we were children, Deepavali was heralded by a small cracker burst byContinue reading “Deepavali: How well do we know it?”
Temple Worship and Murti Puja: Part VI
“The image to the Hindu is a physical symbol and support of the supraphysical; it is a basis for the meeting between the embodied mind and sense of man and the supraphysical power, force or presence which he worships and with which he wishes to communicate.” (Sri Aurobindo, CWSA, Vol. 20, p. 147) It shouldContinue reading “Temple Worship and Murti Puja: Part VI”
The Fundamentals of Sanatana Dharma: Part V
In this section we deepen our understanding of Sanatana Dharma by looking at some of its fundamental ideas and distinctive characteristics. Let us begin with an important excerpt from Sri Aurobindo’s famous Uttarpara speech, delivered on May 30, 1909. This was his first speech after acquittal from Alipore jail, when for the first time spokeContinue reading “The Fundamentals of Sanatana Dharma: Part V”
Dharma or Religion? : Part IV
Having understood the Indian outlook on Religion and the fundamental characteristics of Indian religio-spiritual culture, let us now explore an important question – does the word “religion” as understood in the most ordinary sense of organised religion really make sense in the Indian cultural context, or should we invoke the uniquely Indian word “dharma” toContinue reading “Dharma or Religion? : Part IV”
Sadhguru & the curse of Dharmic Intellectuals
Mahabharata, one of the greatest epics of Hindus, mentions an incident where King Yuddhisthir curses the female-folk to never be able to keep a secret. While curses and boons form an inseparable part of Indic civilization, I have tried my best to find historical reference of a curse which plagues Indic Dharmic intellectuals. The curseContinue reading “Sadhguru & the curse of Dharmic Intellectuals”
Distinctive Characteristics of Indian Religion: Part III
“Indian religion cannot be described by any of the definitions known to the occidental intelligence. In its totality it has been a free and tolerant synthesis of all spiritual worship and experience. Observing the one Truth from all its many sides, it shut out none. It gave itself no specific name and bound itself byContinue reading “Distinctive Characteristics of Indian Religion: Part III”
Indian Perspective on Life, Human Development and Religion: Part II
The Indian outlook on religion and spirituality emerges from the Indian cultural view of existence and life itself. The Indian idea of the world, of nature and of existence is not physical, but psychological and spiritual. Sri Aurobindo explains that as per the Indian vision of Existence, everything that we see in this universe, inContinue reading “Indian Perspective on Life, Human Development and Religion: Part II”
Is India moving towards Digital Slavery?
While world has different thoughts, perceptions and ideologies behind terming India as a developing/third-world country, personally, I have my reasons for the same. I acknowledge my limitations to build up enough curiosity before sharing a piece of information and hence would put across my reason right way. The reason is, ‘Failure to create a TechContinue reading “Is India moving towards Digital Slavery?”
APASMARA 